Detailed Summary

(Sec. 2) Revises the definition of "cigarette" to include roll-your-own tobacco and to exclude cigars. Defines "delivery sale" to mean any sale of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to a consumer ordered by telephone, the mails, or the Internet or other online service . Redefines "person" to include state, local, and Indian tribal governments. Redefines "use" to include the consumption, storage, handling, or disposal of smokeless tobacco, in addition to cigarettes.

Applies state tobacco tax reporting requirements to: (1) the sale or advertising for sale of smokeless tobacco products; (2) persons who ship or transfer cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products; and (3) the shipment of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco into a locality or Indian country that taxes the sale or use of such products. Requires sellers of tobacco products to file with the Attorney General reports filed with state tobacco tax administrators. Imposes additional information reporting requirements on such sellers, including the disclosure of electronic mail addresses, website addresses, and authorized agents for service of process. Limits the use of information received from sellers of tobacco products solely for tax enforcement purposes.

Expands requirements for delivery sales by requiring each delivery seller, with respect to delivery sales into a specific state and place, to: (1) comply with specified shipping and record-keeping requirements, all state, local, tribal, and other laws generally applicable to sales of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco as if such delivery sales occurred entirely within the specific state and place (including laws imposing excise taxes and licensing and tax-stamping requirements), and specified tax collection requirements; (2) include on the bill of lading for the shipping package containing cigarettes or smokeless tobacco a clear and conspicuous statement that federal law requires the payment of all applicable excise and sales taxes and compliance with applicable licensing and tax-stamping obligations; (3) comply with specified weight and age verification requirements; and (4) keep records of all delivery sales, organized by state, for four years after the date of the delivery sale, and make such records accessible to state, local, and Indian tribe tax authorities and the Attorney General.

Prohibits the delivery of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco unless the excise tax on such products has been paid and any required stamps or other indicia of payment are properly affixed to the products. Allows an exception for states that require delivery sellers to collect the tax from consumers and remit such tax to state or local tax authorities.

Requires the Attorney General to compile a list of noncompliant delivery sellers of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco and to distribute such list to state attorneys general and tax administrators and common carriers and other couriers, including the United States Postal Service (USPS). Prohibits the delivery of any package to, or on behalf of, a noncompliant delivery seller without determining that such package does not include cigarettes or smokeless tobacco.

Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to three years for violations of this Act. Increases civil penalties for violations to the greater of $5,000 for a first violation or $10,000 for any other violation, or 2% of the gross sales of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco for the year before the violation.

Grants federal district courts jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of this Act and to provide injunctive or equitable relief, including money damages. Empowers the Attorney General to administer and enforce this Act. Authorizes a state attorney general, a local government, an Indian tribe that levies a tax subject to this Act, or a holder of a permit as a manufacturer or importer of tobacco products or as an export warehouse proprietor (permit holder) to bring an action in U.S. district court to prevent and restrain violations of this Act.

Establishes a PACT Anti-Trafficking Fund into which 50% of criminal and civil penalties collected in enforcing this Act shall be deposited and available to the Attorney General to enforce this Act and other laws relating to contraband tobacco products.

Requires the Attorney General to make information on enforcement actions publicly available (including on the Internet) and to report to Congress on such actions.

(Sec. 3) Amends the federal criminal code to treat cigarettes and smokeless tobacco as nonmailable matter and prohibit their deposit into the U.S. mails. Requires the USPS to refuse to accept for delivery or transmit through the mails any package that it knows or has reasonable cause to believe contains any cigarettes or smokeless tobacco made nonmailable by this Act. Exempts from such prohibition: (1) cigars; and (2) mailings within the states of Alaska or Hawaii; (3) mailings for business purposes between legally operating tobacco businesses and by individuals for noncommercial purposes; or (4) mailings for consumer testing by manufacturers or the federal government. Requires the Postmaster General to issue a final rule to establish the standards and requirements applicable to tobacco products mailed for business purposes.

Requires the seizure and forfeiture of any cigarettes or smokeless tobacco illegally deposited into the U.S. mails. Imposes an additional civil penalty and a criminal penalty for mailing nonmailable tobacco products.

Establishes the PACT Postal Service Fund to which 50% of criminal and civil fines for mailing violations shall be transferred and made available to the Postmaster General to enforce mailing restrictions on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products.

Allows a state, local government, or Indian tribe to obtain appropriate injunctive or equitable relief for mailing violations in a civil action in a U.S. district court.

(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to enter the business premises of delivery sellers and inspect their records and information and any cigarettes or smokeless tobacco stored at such premises. Authorizes federal district courts to compel such inspections. Imposes a civil penalty for failure to comply with inspections.

(Sec. 5) Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect, amend, or modify specified agreements or limitations relating to the collection of taxes on, and related matters regarding, cigarettes or smokeless tobacco sold in Indian country or to inhibit the coordination of law enforcement by states or other jurisdictions, including Indian tribes, with respect to interstate sales or seizures of tobacco products.

(Sec. 6) Makes this Act effective 90 days after its enactment, except for provisions authorizing ATF to enter and search business premises (Section 4 of this Act) which takes effect on the date of enactment.<br>

(Sec. 7) Declares that if any provision of this Act or amendment is held invalid, the remainder of this Act and its application shall not be affected thereby.

(Sec. 8) Expresses the sense of Congress that this Act responds to the unique harms posed by online cigarette sales and does not create a precedent for the collection of state sales or use taxes by, or the validity of efforts to impose other types of taxes on, out-of-state entities that do not have a physical presence in the taxing state.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 3/31/2010: Signed by President.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

The many reasons this bill should *NOT* pass are because, first and foremost
it limits the freedom of the internet. The internet is supposed to be free, not limited. Secondly, This would cut MANY people, including the native Americans who have had their land restored from their jobs. Imagine the impact this would have on all the peoples jobs. This would also make cigarettes, etc.. less affordable to those with low incomes. The government would also lose an amazing amount of money due to the fact many people would be out of jobs, therefore those people would no longer be paying income tax. Also, The postal service would lose a lot of it's business, and would probably raise its prices to compensate for the loss, in which case even less people would use it resulting in many job losses within the postal service field.

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Visitor Comments

Mary Makaimoku

This bill is identical to H.R.1676, is this just another tactic to slip under the publics noses? While everyone is saying NO to H.R.1676, Congress will slide in this bill? FACT ACT S.1147

I am tired of being taxed for every little thing! And being told what we can do and not do! There are limits to everything and I feel congress is stepping out of bounds! I hear all the time the Military is fighting for our FREEDOM, what freedom? Who's freedom? It isn't the American People!!! We are being so controlled by the Government. Our Congressmen are to represent us, the people, but I feel they have turned a deaf ear to us all! Our Constitution was based on freeing America from paying taxes. And now that's all you hear of.... a new tax on something! And when our government spends more and wants more money all they think is to raise the taxes on something that's aleady been taxed 10 times, just one example, cigarettes!! Our government is starting to create a war with it's own people! This is sad

Debra Wilson

What about THE POSTAL SERVICE? The price of stamps is steadily rising. The PACT Act will take an entire class of goods and make them non-mailable. What this means is a huge loss of business (potentially hundreds of millions of dollars) for the Postal Service. Will they continue to raise the price of stamps to compensate for their lost income? The postal service is already suffering a fiscal crisis due to the downturn in the economy. There could be serious consequences for consumers including reducing the number of delivery days.

What about the COST? When the PACT Act of 2003 passed the Senate, the Congressional Budget Office prepared a Cost Estimate for the Bill. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the PACT Act of 2003 would cost about $140 MILLION over the 2004-2008 period to enforce. How much will the PACT Act of 2009 cost to enforce?

Personally, I grow weary of being a source of revenue for a representative government which really doesn't represent me at all.

Wm

I used low risk smokeless tobacco products like Swedish snus & nasal snuff to quit a 40 year 2 1/2 pack a day cigarette habit and I can only get these mail order. Harm reduction is the only strategy that has worked for me. If this becomes law, I guess that I'll have to grow my own tobacco or start smoking again. Why are cigars exempt anyway?

Big Al

Gimme a break ! I'm a middle aged man who's been buying my cheap cigars via a Seneca Nation internet website for over 5 years. It's the only way I can be guaranteed fresh product, as the local grocery stores and convenience marts always have old, dry and stale cigars due to lack of demand, I guess. I realize that cigars are exempt under the definitions of Section One of Bill S.1147, but I dare say if these inane restrictions are placed on other tobacco products, they'll put a lot of hard working, honest folks (including Postal workers) out of a job. Real smart move with the economy the way it is now. I pay plenty of federal and state taxes as it is without another gouge.

Sharen

Why are Cigars exempt, is it because the people who make the law import expensive cigars, and this would make it illegal. I am sick of big brother. Lets amend this act, tobacco is all the same, change S1147 to include cigars and I might vote for it, but then no one on the Hill would.

Suz

Greenfield Girl

It appears to me that that they are are only going to increase the states revenue to some small degree while on the other hand lose a lot of other benefits to many: frequency of postal delivery, postal rate increases,jobs for postal employees,increases in unemployment benefits. This doesn't include the impact that this will have on the Native American population whose economy often depends on this type of business. What will happen to these people. Their community has few job opportunities and sometimes I wonder if the government is trying to take away what little self-respect they have left in autonomous work ventures.

Jackie White

I am including a link to the Care2 members' news story I submitted. In comments, is a letter you can send to your U.S. Senators. Also, the link will take you to an important notice from the Seneca Reservation tobacco store.

ANGEL123

THIS IS ANOTHER WAY FOR THE GOV TO RAISE POSTAGE. WHETHER YOU ARE A SMOKER OR NOT PLEASE LET YOUR SENATOR'S KNOW THAT YOU ARE AGAINS'T THIS ACT AND THAT YOU ARE ONE OF THEIR SUPPORTERS AND THAT YOU WON'T VOTE FOR THEM AGAIN IF THEY PASS THIS ACT. TO MANY PEOPLE ARE ALREADY WITHOUT JOBS AND THIS IS GOING TO SHUT DOWN NUMERIOUS BUSINESSES AND HURT THE ECONOMY EVEN MORE. THIS IS A RIGHT AND WE MUST URGE THEM TO BE AGAINS'T IT. WE ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN STOP IT. THERE ARE BETTER WAY'S TO USE OUR TAXES FOR GOODNESS SAKE. LET'S WAKE WASHIGTON UP ON ALL THESE ISSUES. THANKS AND GOD BLESS. ANGELA

cf

the words to describe the "traffiking" and "smuggling" of cigarettes and tobacco products is an insult to any tobacco user and non user. That is like saying they are trying to purchase cocaine and heroin online!! It seems to me that every time the government has to raise more money, its done on the backs of smokers, who by the way pay taxes like everyone else. With all the real serious issues facing the world today, why are they wasting their time and our money to try and enforce this law? Will the taxes they feel they will get from this make up for the lost revenue of the Postal Service, the lost jobs of the tobacco retailers,etc?. There are taxes being stolen in plain sight from people who are working and not contributing a dime of their income to the government, and they have the blessings of our leaders!! Go figure!

Kiria

It's total garbage. Just another way for Big Brother to control us. Socialism the the current Regimes goal. You worry about this? So do I but once they put in the VAT tax you will be taxed on literally everything. Email your senator spam them over and over.

Carl R.

Today they want to stop tobacco from being mailed to get state tax. next they will stop every thing from being mailed so that the states can collect tax. When did the fed. start working for the state and not the people.

If we don't stop them with tobacco we won't be able to stop them in the future.When they want to stop other goods from being sold on line.

Janet C.

The name of this bill is laughable, "Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking." The only way to prevent cigarette trafficking is to institute a much, much, MUCH lower tax on tobacco products and have that tax be uniform across all 50 states. Don't these guys who represent us know ANYTHING?

The states are exercising their right to tax whatever the hell they choose on products highly desired by 20% of the population; and a larger and larger percentage of that population is exercising its right to say "no" to those iniquitous taxes by evasion.

Trafficking will decrease to the degree that taxes decrease and are uniform from state to state. If they are merely uniform and high, and the taxes can't be evaded by semi-legal means, then that population will go to Hezbollah and Chinese counterfeiters on the street instead of getting their smokes from Native Americans, delivered by the USPS.

Hmmm. Which of these groups do YOU think will benefit from this brilliant piece of legislation?

OK

VOTE NO on S. 1147. Taxpayers are getting hosed enough. Feds collect their share of the pie. Like the USPS needs more layoffs and red ink. Oh, they just stick us for higher postage rates and less service.

Carole D

This is going way beyond reasonable. The government is not getting screwed out of taxes! The lower income people are the ones footing the bill anymore for some of these hare-brained ideas. Somebody goofed from the tobacco industry when they didn't "grease" these politicians hands. All the billion dollar lawsuits and the only ones to make out were the attorneys.

When did our government get into private businesses on such a heavy basis? If an industry makes money, the government steps in and takes over and dictates what can and can't be.

We're all being led like sheep to the slaughter with no say in any of it!!

linda

JOBS WILL BE LOST THE POST OFFICE WILL LOSE MONEY AND I WILL BE FORCED INTO BUYING FROM A LOCAL STORE WITH THEIR OUTRAGES PRICES AND IT WONT STOP A ADULT FROM BUYING CIGARETTES FOR YOUNG ADULTS IS THIS GOVERMENT THAT STUPID..DONT THEY HAVE MORE INPORTANT ISSUES TO DEAL WITH STOP PICKING ON US.

I GUESS ITS ALL RIGHT TO DRINK UNTIL YOU KILL SOMEONE OR ITS ALL RIGHT TO SEND DRUGS IN THE MAIL...

GET REAL.OH IM 66 YEARS OLD. STOP..

Jan

Some of us are disabled and are not able to obtain tobacco products in any other way than through mail order. Virtually everything that I need is ordered over the phone and delivered in one way or another. I have no one to shop for me and have no transportation and even if I did, I am not physically able to go out and shop. This is discrimination against the disabled pure and simple!

TeaRowz

I am homebound because of a severe disability. I am almost totally isolated - having no support from family or friends. Unfortunately, and yes, probably unbelievably, smoking is the only real pleasure I have in my days.

I've had to count on mail order to purchase out-of-state

cigarettes that can be delivered to my home. And yes, I've paid state use taxes on those purchases.

I am unable to 'kick the habit' when one needs a strong support system, and the strength of will to quit, neither of which I have because of my disability and

resultant severe depression. Should delivery via USPS now be prevented, that would further erode my emotional state. I have to fight every day to want to live, and this could well put me 'over the edge'. That is no exaggeration.

Now, while I'm aware that my situation is extreme, I know there are MANY other low-income people who have been badly hurt by the unfair tax increases, and who would now be devastated by the PACT Act.

Marianne

I agree with all the comments, especially from disabled and low income people. I am a disabled widow. My husband fought in WWII. For what? Only to leave me behind with no family and a pack of cigarettes. The only pleasure I have in life, as so many others. This is hardship at it's finest. Obama can go to the PX and purchase his smokes, as if he had to. How about cigars? They are exempt from the bill. I wonder why? Could it be that the big shot politicians enjoy a good Cuban with their mixed drink? Can only get those through mail order. We are being abused by the government. What can we do? I have signed petitions, wrote to the senators, whata else is there? I am too old to go out and protest. Thank you Obama!!!

fxstone

This PACT bill is just plain crap. This is one of the first steps in restricting and taxing everything that people buy over the internet. Smoking is the only vice I have left and I can't afford them at the stores. Some how we allowed them (government) an inch; I guarantee they will take a mile. I'm just really po'ed that they always hit the smoker first. Thanks a lot Obama and all of those who are suppossed to represent us.

Patty

I doubt if anyone is listening but who knows. I realize that smoking is not sociably acceptable anymore but to be taxed to the point of being forced to quit then have the most economical to purchase cigarettes become illegal seems extreme. Please reconsider passing this bill.

rocketman

The real problem with this bill is it allows the government to get their foot in the door for taxing any internet transaction. They have been trying for years to accomplish this, but so far unsuccessfully. Now, on the backs of those awful tobacco users, they will be able to set a precedent for taxing anything else on the internet. TAX, TAX, TAX...where will it all end? Now, only rich people (like Obama, now that he is set for life, and hollywood celebrities) will be able to afford smoking.

jame

The pact act is NOT about stopping trafficing or smuggling, it's about taking away the rights of Americans who smoke. It is wrong, wrong, wrong to take away rights - smokers already can't charge cigarettes also? It is NOT about the age thing at all. It's picking on smokers, period. So much else to worry about, and they propose this?

Lady Di

This is utterly nuts. This bill will put an entire industry -- online tobacco retailers -- out of business. Exactly WHO stands to benefit by that? The taxpayers? Of course not. Cigarettes smokers are already taxed to the max whether they buy in a store or online. The only beneficiaries of this nonsense are the sanctimonious non-smokers who want the smokers to pay for their obesity-related health problems. Let's ban the sale online of every single type of FOOD that has more than 100 calories per serving -- or, better yet, let's put a 10% tax on every one of those items to fund the cost of obesity-related medical problems. Once that's done, I'm sure the smokers of the world will feel a little better about the excessive taxes they are now being asked to pay.

Stephen JP

I have written every politician I could find that was related to this issue. We are losing our rights. If you do the research as I have you will find that the crime rate has gone up in parallel to the cigarette tax and if they pass this bill it will surely rise even more. There are many reasons not to pass this bill.This is just one more. Thanks

Jessica712

I cannot believe where this Country is going and if the people of the United States of America do not stand up for themselves who will? More and more every day rights are being removed as if we never had them – as if it is to help America – are you freakin kidding me? We are taxed on what we make, what we spend – Employers are taxed to the point of bankruptcy – the great State of NY is a joke – businesses have had to pull out left and right because they can’t AFFORD to stay up and running. And what is 140 million dollars? Obviously that is chump change to the government. It will only cost 35 million dollars a year to enforce that no one can purchase tobacco through the internet………… how dumb does that sound? IDIOTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MORONS!!!!!!!!!!!

Incydius

I have been looking all around today after hearing about this. It's funny that there have probably been 100's of comments with all of the places combined...and all have been the same: NO to this Act.

Yet, (like some many others), I have no doubt that this WILL get passed, no matter how many comments, Emails to Reps. + Senators, etc. against such bills are sent to them. THEY SIMPLY DO NOT CARE OR LISTEN TO ANYONE... Except their own buddies, contributors, and special interests.

After some 240 years, it overdue time to start over once again. It is The ONLY way any of this abuse of power will EVER end. But, until people are willing to get on their feet and actually DO something about it, even if it means having to actually FIGHT (because they surely will NOT go "willingly") for the freedoms, which are being taken away, one by one.

Not a milita or racist nut. Just a simple, every-day person that will never be sheep, and cannot be brainwashed like so many already have been.

D H

If this bill passes many hard working people will be put out of work.The goverment wants to reduce unemployment but this is surely not the way.The taxes we have to pay on tobacco products is to high already and this way is the only way we can get them at a half way decent price.I vote NO on Pact Act S1147.It is time for smokers to come together and stand up to the federal goverment!!

Laura

mike v

I agree with everyone of these comments AGAINST the pact act.As a postal worker,it would hurt my already hurting employer.WE do not need any more taxes or jobs lost.It is totally unfair to those who smoke,who aleady pay out the nose for cigarettes and are barred from just about everywhere and it is another way the government wants to take away our freedoms and control everything in our lives.

Dolores Moore

One of the things mentioned in this Pact Act. Is preventing the sale of cigarettes to minors. These busines are very careful in checking to make sure they are not selling to minors. Washington doesn't need more of my money, as I don't need any more abusive from them. Snmokers have rights to. We are paying more for everything else food, gas, etc. Give us one pleasure. Don't pass this bill

Az

I vote no, on the pact act! Stop taking away our rights! I'm sick of everything being taken away, or taxed! Give us a break on something! If there is to be ANOTHER tax, it should be something that EVERYONE uses, and not just a group of people, such as smokers. Don't put any more people out of work. The indians would suffer, from this, as well as all smokers.

Dave Z

I am on a fixed income, and the Little Cigars I get online are half the price I used to pay for them locally. Now they don't even carry my brand locally. If I have to start paying more for crappier product, I will. But that's money that could go for more constructive purposes.

vince f

guess the ATF will be breaking our doors down. I have been dodging the increasing cost of smoking for a Long time, and may have to make out of state runs soon. Fill up my station wagon and drive late at night. I'll never stop smoking unless I want to. Trying to follow in my grandfathers footsteps who smoked 2 packs/day and lived to be 104 till a hospital killed him with infections at age 104. just have to stay out of hospitals.

Debbie Perkins

This bill is absolutely ridiculous! Our Big Brother government is grabbing our freedoms with both hands! This has to stop....the government is supposed to work for us, WE are the boss, not the other way around. The PACT act will destroy jobs and damage the economy even further. And the smokers have born the tax burden long enough....STOP DISCRIMINATING AGAINST SMOKERS!!! They pay more Federal and State taxes than anyone else. They pay MORE than their fair share.

Alan S

A big no to this law. I use reduced harm products to stay off cigarettes, as in Swedish snus and nasal snuff. The only way to get these products is through the mail. If this bill passes I'll be back on cigarettes in a heart beat, thanks to this misguided law. This is a bad law that will put unnecessary hardship on many thousands of US citizens.

Tropical Bob

I, too, depend on online ordering for Swedish snus, nasal snuff and dissolables that have kept me off tobacco cigarettes for more than two years. No, I cannot stay off without these nicotine products. I know that from past failures to quit. The "public good" is not served by this law. And "targeting terrorism" only invokes chuckles as "save the children" did in the Family Smoking Act. Have the courage to stand up and endorce full tobacco prohibition, as that is obviously the end goal of this long, drawn-out game.

Steve B

T Harris

This Bill will include electronic cigarettes. After 54yrs of smoking, e-cigs are the first successful help I've had. They contain nicotine and propylene glycol, a medically recognized germ killer since the 30’s and approved by FAO/WHO in the 60’s.

The FDA stole my affordable inhalers. Are they now trying to kill me with emphysema and cancer?

MJN of MN

Tell your Honorable Senators by telephone or email that you support the mailing of tobacco like this:

I support tobacco retailers that use the mail to buy their tobacco products and adult tobacco customers at home. Please don’t pass the, “Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009 (S.1147)” I support tobacco companies that pay heavy taxes to State and Federal governments and I support tobacco companies that are foreign. I support Native American, European, Indonesian, and other tobacco companies around the World that want to mail tobacco to customers.

too scared

The current actions of our government are absolutely frightening. It was founded to prevent the very thing that is happening here as our supposedly inalienable rights are being taken from us one by one.

I have made the life saving switch to e-cigarrettes. After viewing the doctored and unethical report by the FDA, the debate rages on as to whether this product wholly sold online should be treated as a nicotine delivery system or smoking device.

This is the governments way to PAY off lobbyists from Phillip Morris and the Pharm companies in order to remove the threat of a safer althernative means of quitting smoking tobacco products.

The U.S., government should be tried for mass murder of its own citizens.

SA

I'm so sick of all of this bulls""t. When I quit smoking. I wasn't going back to skoal because of the horrible effects on my gums and teeth and Then I discovered Snus. Not only is it a statistic that is proven to be extremely less harmful than not just cigarettes but also Skoal. I finally find a somewhat safe alternative that I can enjoy. Now they want to take that away from me. Why don't they just outlaw all cigarettes, cigars, all American dip and while your at it, alcohol. Just get rid of it all. Because your excuses of "children" being able to obtain them is ridiculous. Have they even looked into the process of ID verification it takes to place an order??? Everyone here knows that they all have to go to an extreme process to check their identity. Even some 30+ year old's get denied from the verification process. That is how strict they are. If there is an doubt in their mind, or the credit card or background check is questionable their order is denied!!!

SA

There are barely any states in the US that sell pure Swedish Snus. I'm So fed up with these so called politicians wasting their time with this s""t than helping out the average American get health insurance and to help our own poor and suffering and stop spending billions of dollars of aid to country's all over the world. WE NEED HELP HERE ASAP!!! Excluding the current wars of course, which I'm not going to get into right now. I cant type any more, I'm completely disgusted by this point, how can I write to my senator??

Ginny

I've had it! Im going to buy European made cigarettes. An added bonus is that they do make a lot of american brands, PLUS, they are a lot cheaper than ours, even with the shipping, PLUS, they don't have all the additives ours do. So, due to this act, myself and all the other members in my family who smoke are taking our money out of the states. Thank you, oh wonderous law makers!

Abby

Give smokers a break. I find this bill to be offensive, outrageously excessive and wreaks of a holier-than-thou mindset. I've just sent email to my 2 state senators and I hope you email your representatives too.

Annoyed

First the USA ban flavored cigarettes. Now we can't even buy them online if this if this is past. If the USA had a better relationship with online company then "all" online buyers of tobacco product would be taxed via the state. I as a California found my information on how to pay my tobacco at www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/pub112.pdf . As of 2003 the PACT was estimated to cost $140 million dollars over 4 years for enforcement. What more does our Nation have to take away from tobacco consumers? Well truth be told allot more.

Fred S

Once again---the GOVERNMENT wants to control every aspect of your life. Certainly bad for businesses up to and including the Postal Service, UPS and Fed Ex. Not to mention the burden on the smokers! CALL YOUR SENATORS! I just did!

Eddie H

Copy and paste into your address bar this website address to find out how you can help stop this unfair bill called S.1147 - the PACT Act of 2009: http://www.smokes-spirits.com/images/promotion/2009PACTact.pdf . Emailing these senators does absolutely nothing since they do not read the emails. All these senators have armies of support personnel that intercept the emails and these same support workers many times have their own anti-smoker agendas. Hand written letters have the most pronounced effect but as of this writing, time has almost run out. Only a phone call to the capitol switchboard and requesting to be connected to your state senator will do any good at this point. Or copy and paste the above web address to see the individual phone numbers for these senators. You have the right still to voice your opinion. Go to the above address and follow the instructions. Be a part of the political process. If you do nothing, you will suffer for it when this bill passes. Do it today.

Carol Peter

rhodes

Our 'famed' American rights are becomming nothing more than slogans. It is our fault- remember the slogan that justified the Iraq war, ">..Sadam is soooo evil ". That is the sort of thing that you tell a 9 year old to influence him/her.

SOKS

LONG LONG ago, the U.S. Government settle a lawsuit with the tobacco industries, and proclaimed that the money that was given to the government was to pay for all health care issues, from then ON! The government SPENDS more than they have, so they have to think of ways to keep taking our money. People told me, yep, stick it to the smoker....and my response was, yeah, well just wait...they will stick it to you too soon. And it's coming....FAT TAXES...what ELSE will they come up with to take our money?! The reason why smuggling of cigarettes is a problem is because the government has taxed and retaxed and retaxed and retaxed and retaxed and retaxed and retaxed cigarettes. But we the people have found a way to purchase these products at a much smaller cost. The government, thus, is not getting their money. THAT is what this is all about!!! It has NOTHING to do with smuggling...that is just the excuse they are using.

SOKS

I have a recommendation for all REAL AMERICANS. IF this taxation continues on, those, that may STILL have jobs, should declare the maximum number of exemptions on their tax forms, and have the minimum amount of taxes taken out of their paychecks. Then, when the tax year comes around, simply don't file!! KEEP YOUR MONEY!! If we can get enough people in this country to do this, what are they going to do? Lock all of us up? I don't think so!! THIS is the PERFECT way to have Washington listen to the people, since they don't seem to care much about us at all. Also, whether or not this act passes or not, if health care passes or not, if cap and tax passes or not, or any of the other BRILLIANT Ideas pass coming from Washington, be sure to take down the names of all those who voted YES to any of these. These are the ones that MUST GO in the next election!

Vitolo DelVecchio

I am homebound since a prolonged Coma some years back. PACT is an unfair act. It discriminates against my disability. I am not able to leave home, and not being able to have cigarettes delivered is an outrage. Also... due to my disabled condition, I now live on a disability income. A second affront to my limited situation. I see it now- not being allowed affordable products, and not being allowed to have them delivered... a double whammy by Uncle Sam, whose nickname is rapidly becoming "Big Brother"

tr

This act will hurt my household due to it will put out of a job and we all know that there isn't too many out there anymore. I also think it isn't fair to people who can't leave their homes and this is the only way they can get their cigarettes. What happen to the old days when people had a say to what they do with their own lives. This is one more step to control everything we do.It sucks !!! Passing this bill will hurt more people (poor people)than it will help anything.My question is what is it hurting? All it's doing is putting less money in the working people pockets and helping the rich people high up richer. Isn't there another way around this? I am against this pact because it will hurt the people and the ones who have a job won't have one if it passes.

Katie Marie Nelson

I am a smoker of over 20 years. I will probably die from lung cancer without the E-Cigarette.Here are some things you should consider.E-Cigs contain no tar.E-Cigs produce no carbon monoxide (they vaporize the E-liquid producing steam). E-Cigs have only 4 chemicals.Traditional cigs contain tar.Traditional cigs produce carbon monoxide. Traditional cigs contain over 100 chemicals. Carbon monoxide is known to be harmful and cause cancer.Tar clogs the air sacks of the lungs.Lung Cancer is the #1 leading cause of premature death in the USA.If passed it will make it illegal for tobacco and tobacco products to be sent though the mail. The nicotine found in the e-liquid we use in our electronic cigarettes comes from tobacco. I'm telling you if this is passed people are going to die! Genocide is the planned killing of a group of people. This WILL kill people. If congress passes this they might as well be watching us in a giant gas chamber not really killing us just blocking the only exit!

Jody

What about the people in the USPS that will loose jobs? What about the people with handicap problems that are not able to get to the store to buy cigarettes? The people of AMERICA will fight this all the way!

Emily

I am not a smoker nor do I advocate smoking to anyone but this bill is just not right. If enacted, this bill will severly hurt those Indians who depend on this type of business for their livelihood. Didn't we hurt the Indians enough...we killed them, stole their land and even raped their woman. After all of the harm we did to them, they stayed with our Nation and helped us fight for our independence, and this the thanks we are giving them? I urge all of those involved to defeat the passage of this bill.

Syr OBr

Let's face it, American Indians market the vast majority of mail tobacco,so by passing this law you will be forced to go to a local retailer to ensure they get their precious tax $, to wit they have already spent many years ago. Want to help kids? Stop letting 1/2 of them dropout or become pregnant prior to age 18.

Justin Southern

I have wrote to both representatives of Hawaii and have asked them to vote NO to this bill. When will the endless tax demands of our government ease up? There are enough hardships already present in our weakened economy...STOP THIS!!! Contact your representatives and tell them to vote NO!